A new research report on children’s media is now available. The report, The Quality Question: Why Children’s Media Must Aim High, is based on research conducted by Sherri Hope Culver during her Fulbright in which she interviewed over 75 leaders in the field of children’s media. The report discusses 15 recommendations critical to creating media content for children that engages and entertains. Sherri Hope Culver is a professor of instruction at Temple University and director of the Certificate in Children’s Media, as well as director of the Center for Media and Information Literacy.
Culver writes, “Why should we be concerned about creating quality media for children? Because we know that media is an influential component in children’s lives. We may argue about whether it is the most influential, or mostly a negative influence, or who bears the most responsibility for improvement, but the intersecting point in all of these arguments is the reality that media has influence. It influences what we know, what we believe, and what we value. It does this for all of us, adults and children. But whatever influence it has on adults, that influence is greater for children because children have less critical thinking skills, less overall knowledge, and less maturity and experience to make positive choices about their own needs. Children need us to be the ones to consider their needs first.”
GUIDELINES examples:
#1. LEAD WITH PLAY AND PLAYFULNESS
Activating a playful mindset was a sentiment echoed by almost every person interviewed. The play can be gentle or raucous, joyful or mischievous, but without it, all the other Guidelines fall by the wayside. No play? No kids. David Kleeman (Dubit) sums up this point when he states, “Kids want to have fun. To engage kids, first they have to enjoy it.”
#10. LET IT BE A LITTLE GRITTY, A LITTLE NAUGHTY
“…It can be tempting to chase another programs’ success when there is so much money riding on every decision. If another series was successful with talking dogs, networks and creators often feel pressure to do the same and come up with another idea featuring talking dogs. Nicole Cheek (ABC Australia) acknowledges the pressure to chase success, but also recognizes the value of imperfection. “We don’t want to make shows that are too perfect. Too performative. The idea doesn’t have to be this shiny version. Can we be open to a bit of risk?
#14. INVITE CARING ADULTS TO PARTICIPATE
“…Since children spend hours every day consuming digital media, podcasts, video games and other screen media, (these) caring adults are also advising and modeling, directly or indirectly, what media is ok to use, when, and how. This is why Robyn Butler (Gristmill Productions) states, “media must operate on two levels. Adults and kids.” Gary Pope (Kids Industries) deepens the point when he states, “the media must have some value for parents and any caring adults in a child’s world. Parents are the catalyst.” Families that connect over a favorite television show or other media are more likely to want to connect with it again and again…”
Limited printed copies also available.
What are people saying about the report?
“A must read”
Nancy Jennings, Professor, University of Cincinnati
“An actionable, rich new report from Sherri Hope Culver presents 15 guidelines for creating quality media for children. Here are the ones I’m mulling over:
Claire Christensen, Senior Education Researcher, SRI International
#6: Encourage curiosity and an open learning mind. Beth Carmona says ‘More than transmitting information, (media) should generate interest and awaken curiosity and a taste for knowledge.’ I think this is a real hallmark of media that have kids’ best interests at heart.
#7: Convey empathy for others. Sherri writes, ‘Stories… create emotional engagement, and through that engagement, create empathy.’ The magic of narrative media is that they teach us to relate to others.
#8: Reveal that challenges happen, but perseverance builds resilience. They quote Mr. Rogers, ‘It’s not easy to keep trying, but it’s one good way to grow.’ A sign of these lyrics hung above my desk in grad school!
Which guidelines stuck out most to you?”
“Kids don’t just need excellent content, they deserve it. Sherri’s wonderful Fulbright research report walks through 15 guidelines to make quality media, with input from some of my favorite people in the industry.”
Amy Kraft, Director of Digital Content Development, Benchmark Education Company
“There couldn’t be any better train reading than Sherri’s newly-published (yesterday!) report from her Fulbright Year. Sherri traveled the world discussing the nature and purpose of ‘quality’ in children’s media with experts from all the fields that make up our universe. If you don’t already know Sherri’s work, you can find her firmly situated in the Venn Diagram overlap between media literacy scholarship and industry practicalities.”
David Kleeman, SVP of Global Trends, Dubit
“Fresh new resource from media guru Sherri Hope Culver”
Irene Andriopoulou, EU Media Literacy Policy Expert
“Excited to share The Quality Question by Sherri Hope Culver, which dives deep into what it means to create high-quality content for children. Key insights include the importance of leading with playfulness, centering children’s voices, and supporting cultural identity. It’s a powerful reminder that children’s media should not only entertain but also foster curiosity, empathy, and resilience. A must-read for anyone involved in children’s media and education!”
Mariana Diaz-Wionczek, Professor, New York University
More to come…
Sherri Hope Culver is Director of the Center for Media and Information Literacy at Temple University, USA where she is a professor of instruction in the Klein College of Media and Communication. Sherri is a Fulbright Scholar. She served as vice-chair of the UNESCO Global Media and Information Literacy Alliance and as president of the National Association for Media Literacy Education. She produces and hosts the podcast Kids Talk Media. For more details about Sherri click here.
For more information about the report please contact
Sherri Hope Culver
@sherrihope1